Utah BFF's

We went to Utah to visit family. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see any of mine (sorry Utah fam!), but maybe another time. We go up there frequently...which is good.

It was a great time - other than the fact that I froze. It was cold up there. It rained, which I loved, which made it cool off. I was glad to return to the Texas heat.

Kayden hasn't been up there in a while, at least a year, so it was good for him to get up there and "meet" family again. Kimmie, his aunt, is his BFF down here in TX. She had a run for her money up there to maintain that BFF status. She was not pleased with this at alll, to say the least. Kayden's new BFF's now consist of Mary Lou, Darlene, Julie, Cindy, Dave, and James. He couldn't get enough of them! Although, I think Mary Lou was his favorite - no offense! He was her little shadow. They cooked and played and baked and cooked and cooked more together. He was quite the "helper". Thanks, Mary Lou!!


During our time there, Cindy was gracious enough to take pics. Thanks, Cindy!! She got some really great ones of Kayden playing at a park and he even went on the slide! For some reason, with us, he won't go on one. But with her, he gladly climbed up and slid down. I wasn't there, so I didn't get to see it, bummer. Maybe another time.


Darlene, was kind enough to give him a haircut. He did okay, considering. I'm sure it was easier for him that it was for her. He was a wiggle worm. But the haircut looks great! Thanks, Darlene!!


Julie and Dave - we went to dinner at their house one night and this was the first time we met Dave, Julie's new husband. He's great! Kayden found all the sprinklers they had (a new interest) and didn't take long to make himself at home there and climb right up in Dave's lap to get closer to the radio to play his Primary songs. I hope he didn't mind. :) Then Julie ran and played with Kayden, which always gets high marks in his book. Thanks, Julie and Dave!

James - this was all new to him because James is incredible on the piano. James just pounded out songs and Kayden had a blast sitting right there next to him and singing along wit him. I got a couple videos on my phone of this, and Kayden just sits and plays these over and over all day long. He asks me if he can watch the "new James video" and hands me my phone. Thanks, James!

Needless to say, so many new friends. Thanks for the great trip and the wonderful memories, along with all the new BFF's!!

And.....it's all your turns to visit down here now. Miss everyone!!!

Bryce

I just realized that I haven't posted any pics of Bryce up here. I did on Facebook, but completely forgot about the blog. Sorry!

So here are a few.

Slacker

I feel like a slacker these days. My body feels as though I'm not getting enough sleep but my mind thinks I'm getting too much sleep.

The skinny - Bryce and Kayden have not been cooperating these past couple days in regards to their sleep habits. So, I've been up and have been sleeping during the day. I'm usually up and at 'em in the afternoon. Mornings are a little difficult. I feel bad for Kayden b/c he has to entertain himself while I'm zonked (although I fade in and out enought know if he's getting in trouble). I'm sure this is just temporary, but they both need to get it together so I can get it together. (I say that with the most love possible)

Other than that, things are still good. Bryce is growing and eats constantly, or so it seems. Kayden is doing really well with him. We love to see them both grow and change. It's a lot of fun, even when things are crazy.

Hopefully, I won't be a slacker much longer. I think I just need to get a better schedule going for me or something. I'll figure something out. In the mean time, I'm in slacker limbo mode.

Conversations & Jams

Ellen is one of Kayden's favorites - as in Ellen DeGeneres. He isn't taking a nap today (because he woke up at 10a!) so he gets to stay up and watch Ellen with me. He loves this show but never gets to watch due to that pesky nap.

He was waiting in anticipation as the show before ended and Ellen started. It finally started and this conversation ensued:

Me: Ellen's on.
Kayden: Her dance? (he doesn't have the "her" vs "she" grammar down yet)
Me: Not yet. She likes to dance, huh?
Kayden: Like Kayden!

He's not kidding - this kid LOVES to dance! He knows how to shake his little booty, jump, and twirl/spin. He hears a good "jam" and gets his groove on pretty quick.

Thanks to his father, his "jams" now consist of kid friendly songs such as:

Lady Gaga's "Just Dance"
TI's "Whatever You Like"
Justin Timberlake - I don't even know what song(s)

That's all I can think of. But given all that, his all time favorite song is "Book of Mormon Stories". Whew! At least he's a somewhat normal 2 year old...right?

Update

It's been a week and 3 days that we've had the newest addition. I would say that's enough time to get somewhat adjusted and get used to the little guy. He's doing great, as are we. He's a great sleeper - for the most part. I know as soon as I say this things will change - I've just cursed myself. Hopefully, not, but that's just my luck.
It's amazing how different kids can be. It's not a bad thing, and it's not that Kayden was/is a horrible kid, they're just different. Kayden loved keeping us up at all hours of the night for hours on end. He never really liked to sleep - he did, but not a ton - and he was not as laid back as we thought he was.
Bryce, on the other hand. He's a GREAT sleeper. Nothing wakes this guy up, granted, he's still new to the world and used to the noise in the womb, but he's a pretty solid sleeper. That makes it fun for feedings (okay, not really). He's not a cryer, unless he's hungry.
We'll see how things changes as the weeks go on though. Hopefully, we'll get him on a good schedule and get him sleeping through the night MUCH earlier than Kayden (he was more at 8-9 months before that happened. Life pretty much sucked during that time - in regards to getting any form of good sleep).
We all are having a great time and Kayden is doing great. He's interested in Bryce and wants to carry him. Holding doesn't suffice. He kisses him when he goes somewhere and fulfills his brotherly duty by always telling him to "be a good boy" as a reminder. I don't think there's much trouble Bryce can get in to now, but maybe this will be a great piece of advice he'll remember as he grows older. Who knows?
Pics to follow...I'm just a slacker.

Our newest family member

Bryce Masahiro Anderson joined our family on Thursday, 4/23, at 1226p. He weighed in at 8lbs 6ozs, much smaller than any of us thought. Todd has known for most of the pregnancy what the sex was, but was beginning to question whether or not my Dr actually told him the truth (he's a jokester, just like Todd). It turns out, it was the truth, so Todd knew the whole time.

We're very excited for Bryce to finally be here and Kayden is slowly getting to know his "Baby Bryce" (although it comes out sounding more like "Baby rice"). He's actually doing very well with him and gives him kisses and pats his little head and just loves on him, occasionally. Other times, he just ignores him and acts like he's not there. All in all, I think he's taking it very well. We'll see how this week goes though as today is our first day home as an entire family.

Bryce is as sweet as can be and looks so much like Kayden. I don't have any pics right now, but only because I don't know where they're saved and everyone is asleep. As soon as I find them, I'll post them.

It's fun that our little family is growing but so strange to think that at the same time. And, it's strange what new perspective this gives me about Kayden. I always thought of Kayden as my little baby and thought he was so small......that is, until I see him with Bryce. He's a little boy and an older brother. It's weird yet exciting all at the same time. My, how things change!

Baseball, bathrooms, and baby

Odd combo for the title, I know.

We're on our way from home work today and Todd is talking with his sister and we get a Kayden update. Turns out, he's gone the whole day wearing his big boy undies with no accidents - even including during his 2 hour nap! They took him to the potty every 30 minutes and he did wonderful! Well, the day this starts just so happens to be the day of our very first Rough Riders baseball game of the season. Needless to say, not much of the game was watched....by Todd, that is. He was good and took Kayden potty every 30 minutes, except for the last 2 potty trips, which I did (and the last one was on the way out to go home, so I can't really count that one). All in all, Kayden really did well. I'm so proud of him! He's not telling us if he needs to go, but he's at least holding it. We only had 2 accidents, but that's just because he had a lot to drink in those 30 minutes between potty runs. I just have to keep reminding him that we don't tinkle in our big boy undies but on the big boy potty. If I keep reminding him during that 30 minutes, he holds it. So, we'll keep trying this throughout the weekend and see how quickly he takes to this. I hope it's really quick b/c I would love to have him out of diapers - permanently - by the time baby #2 arrives....or somehwere very soon after. I'd rather not have 2 kids in diapers. Ugh, the cost of diapers is outrageous for something they just poop and pee in.

Exactly 1 week from this very minute, we will have mystery baby here with us!! Wow, that just barely occurred to me as I write this post. It's a little scary yet exciting. as the days go by, I find that I am getting more nervous. I can and can't believe that this day is finally here. I feel like I'm having our first baby all over again! I don't know why, but I do. I think I might just be nervous that I'll forget something, whether it's how to nurse, bathe, hold, etc the baby. I don't know, but it's a strange feeling. Oh, how our world will change in 1 week!!....all for the good, of course.